FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Members of the agricultural systems technology management program in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas recently conducted a professional development workshop for high school agriculture education teachers and career technical instructors.

Lanny Rice, an ASTM instructor in the Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Technology, coordinated the two-day training event with assistance from professor Don Johnson. The workshop was June 28-29 at the AECT Abernathy Agriscience and Technology Center.

“Our incentive is to reach kids, and the best way to do that is through the leader of the pack,” Rice said. “We want to address the agricultural systems technology area, and enhance the skills and advance opportunities for secondary students. This is more like a service we provide, but this is also our audience because they are generating kids coming into our program.”

Twenty-eight instructors from 11 counties participated the first day, which included basic instruction in hydraulic systems. Johnson guided the educators in designing basic hydraulic systems using schematic symbols, and plumbing the systems on hydraulic training stations.

Twenty-six teachers took part in the second day workshop, which focused on advanced methods of tungsten-inert gas (TiG) welding and related metallurgical principles. Lincoln Electric Welding supplied equipment and staff to lead the sessions.

“The presentations by Dr. Johnson and Lincoln Electric were excellent and right on point,” Rice said.

It was the third consecutive year the agricultural systems technology management program conducted the workshop.